stylinmike1

Almost always at or over the limit b/c I'm almost always running late or hurrying up to the DZO]-

Great question! I'm recovering from a compound tib/fib in May and the doc is strongly recommending pulling the hardware - soon as in 3 weeks. Doc didn't make removing the plate & screws optional though. I can already feel the screws & plate on the fib through the skin and it's very tender in the air cast that I'm wearing now. Right now, I can't wait to get this metal out of my leg, but I'm also interested in the perspective of other 'steely legged' skydivers, the choices they made and why. stylinmike (>O]-

You might add - Turn toward your traffic pattern here *** C) collapse slider D) pull down over toggles E) Release brakes I once spent way too much time focusing on getting my slider down after it had fouled with a partially unstowed brake line - all the while losing altitude & flying directly away from the DZ - and almost had to land out Learn from my mistake & always keep your head on a swivel and be aware of your position even when fixing a minor problem O]-

There's no difference. Rocks vs fists, arrows vs rocks, muskets vs arrows, cannon vs muskets, tanks vs cannon, nukes vs tanks, microbes vs anyone, oil supply vs worldwide demand... it's all the same thing. If one group gains some kind of power over another that power is more likely to be used. The power leveraged can be military, social, economic (which BTW was a primary reason for the formation of the EU - ununified countries were weakened and could not compete well in the global economy). Have you noticed how EU strength has been followed by NATO diminishing on the world stage? The writings of Clausewicz did not lead to any world war. Power imbalances coupled with ambition/nationalism led to them and ultimately ended them as well. That's my point. The scary thing at this time is that anyone with enough money and the right (wrong) connections might inflict WMDs in the form of illicit nukes or bio warfare on whomever they choose. Who has the power and benevolence to justly police the world right now to keep some kind of order? We yanks seem to be stepping forward and taking action, though many others are (rightfully) questioning our motives. The EU seems content to continue discussions and less inclined to take action (letting Jugoslavia disintegrate in their own back yard for instance...) Do we wait until a WMD is unleashed before unifying against the threat of NK, or terrorists? i hope not stylinmike (>O]-

"War is the continuation of politics by other means" Karl von Clausewicz - 18th century philosopher/warrior, or was it warrior/philosopher? IMHO it seems that throughout history any country or society or tyrant that is increasing in power relative to their neighbors will conclude that war is an increasingly appropriate option. China, Spain, Britain, Prussia, Lawrence of Arabia, the US and even the biggest cavemen in the hole all did this at one time or another, until someone bigger comes along to provide a different type of tension or the oppressed mount against a common enemy. It's not necessarily right, it's just - unfortuately - human. that's my $0.02 worth - how 'bout some change? stylinmike (>O]-

More, MORE!!! Way to go - slipping the surly bonds of earth & all Congratulations! stylinmike (>O]-

Great stuff - you made me a much smarter & safer skydiver today. Thanks O]-

Just 2 & don't want any more. Compressed T5 - From a Sabre SNAP! no biggie tho, jumped next morning & for 4 weekends after that before getting it checked out Left compound tib/fib (sort of). I made a low - flaaaat - turn to final & had a brain cramp, letting out my toggles. Came in too fast, stabbed it & stepped right into a divot. Left tib dislocated thru the inside of my foot & fib crunched into many little pieces Its been 2 months & 4 surgeries to put things back together w/lots of plates & screws. I'm still sitting around on my A** watching a great skydiving summer go by without me jumping WAAHHHH!!! Learned a lesson? - you bet. Can't wait to get back to altitude & out the door... Blue Ones! stylinmike stylinmike (>O]-